7 Free Online Human Resources Training Courses to Take this Year

Human resource training is and always will be among the most essential company services.The reason is right in the name. Human resource training is an essential part of getting the most out of employees.It helps turn outsiders into insiders.

Free online human resources training courses offer an ideal method of personal advancement. It’s cost effective for companies and individuals alike. But it’s important to invest one’s time in the best of the best. As such, we’ll rank and examine the best free options out there.

7. Oxford’s Introduction to HR Management

Do I Get a Certificate? Yes!

Is there an Exam? Yes!

How Much Does It Cost? It’s Free!

Oxford’s Introduction to HR Management course takes a three tiered approach to the subject. First, is an overview of HR basics. Next it looks at candidate analysis and recruitment. And finally it looks into staff training and cultivation.

It’s a solid entry among free online human resources training courses. However, it ranks a little lower than one might expect. The main reason is that it’s a bit too introductory. It lags behind some of the other general purpose entries. It’s solid, but one should think of it more as a first step.

6. Open.edu’s Human Resources: Recruitment and Selection

Do I Get a Certificate? A Statement of Participation.

Is there an Exam? Yes!

How Much Does It Cost? It’s Free!

Human resources: Recruitment and Selection course ranks a little lower due to specialization. The course puts heavier focus on employee recruitment and selection. This can be a good or bad thing depending on one’s needs. It’s a perfect match for people who want to highlight these skills.

It’s also a fantastic match to pair with other general purpose human resource training courses. However, on its own the course might end up being too heavily specialized. So one should consider it a little higher or lower on the list. Depending on one’s particular relation to that subject.

5. Coursera’s Preparing to Manage Human Resources

Do I Get a Certificate? Only with paid option.

Is there an Exam? Only with paid option.

How Much Does It Cost? It’s Free, with paid options for additional material.

Preparing to manage human resources carries a solid pedigree. The Preparing to Manage Human Resources course is offered by Coursera, but developed by the University of Minnesota. As one might expect, this does bring a more academic edge to the subject.

This makes it more of a fit for people who prefer a more analytical and objective based view. It’s among the best free online human resources training courses. However, it’s not perfectly suited for every learning style.

The people who stand the most to benefit are those who want to think about thinking. It puts heavy emphasis on helping people learn critical thinking skills. And then applying those skills to human resource training.

This course takes the idea of time management to another level. It provides new methodologies related to human resource management. This saves a huge amount of time in the long run.

However, it also incorporates a more modern tool set than other options. If one wants cutting edge techniques than this is the course to go with.

3. Alison’s Introduction to Time Management

Do I Get a Certificate? Yes!

Is there an Exam? Yes!

How Much Does It Cost? It’s Free!

Time is one of the most important parts of any given job. There’s only so much time in the day. Additionally, deadlines need to perfectly match up with human resources. Alison’s Introduction to Time Management course puts heavy emphasis on how one can best manage timelines and project deadlines.

The course sits rather high up due to the importance of time. Properly applied, this courses lessons can form a foundation for any other option in this list. It’s among the best free online human resources training courses. But specifically for people working with strict deadlines.

2. Alison Fundamentals of Human Resources

Do I Get a Certificate? Yes!

Is there an Exam? Yes!

How Much Does It Cost? It’s Free!

Many of the other options involve particular aspects of human resource management. But Alison’s Fundamentals of Human Resources course ranks so highly due to generalization. It’s one of the best ways to get a broad overview of the subject. It touches on most of the points showcased in other courses. However, it doesn’t go into as heavy detail.

This more cursory look ensures one knows a little bit about everything. One benefit from this style simply involves understanding the totality of human resources. But it’s also important as a stepping stone for further study.

These factors make it one of the best free online human resources training courses. But particularly for people looking to get a larger overview of this subject.

1. Alison Diploma in Human Resources

Do I Get a Certificate? Yes!

Is there an Exam? Yes!

How Much Does It Cost? It’s Free!

Alison’s Human Resource course gets top listing for some very good reasons. In large part it’s due to the fact that it covers almost every aspect of the industry. Most of the other courses go light on subjects to give a wider view. Or they put emphasis on one particular subset of it.

This course is one of the largest and most extensive. And that versatility gives it an amazing value. One can easily go from beginner to expert within the course of this particular program. Given the lack of cost, it’s easy to see why this one is so impressive.

Summing Up

It should be clear just how much one can gain for free. Additionally, it’s worth reiterating that this isn’t just about business. Human resource training courses enrich every aspect of life. And it makes one more effective in every aspect of job performance.

Much of it also deals with open discussion. As such, sharing one’s experiences about courses is a big part of it as well. By sharing one’s experiences it helps one to reflect on them. And it increases one’s chances to build on other’s experiences as well.